Chinese influencer Brother Hao has created a firestorm of outrage — and discussion — online with his parody video. The clip has received widespread criticism for its troubling representation of Indian culture and extreme nationalism. The planes just bought got shot down,” the caption reads over a video of four Chinese men dancing vigorously in a park. They don Indian-style dress and boogie to a techno remix of the catchy Indian song “Tunak Tunak Tun.” The clip has gone mega-viral, racking up more than 3 million likes on Douyin, China’s TikTok. One thing is for sure—the plan has raised a storm of criticism for its obvious racism and nationalistic undertones.
In the video, the men mock Indian accents while wearing toy planes on their heads. As you can imagine, thousands across the globe immediately criticized this depiction as racially offensive at best. None of the backlash could keep the video from being uncensored on Chinese social media platforms. The moment’s virality raises some interesting questions about the ways in which nationalism and online culture intersect within China. As tensions between China and India remain high, this focus couldn’t be more timely.
Viral Sensation Amidst Controversy
Brother Hao, who creates parody and skit-style comedic content, has around 16 million followers on Douyin. His most recent video went viral almost immediately, racking up over 3 million likes on the TikTok platform. The content resonated with viewers who may perceive it through the lens of national pride and superiority over Western technology.
Critics suggest the video relies on racial caricatures to depict Indians. They note that this type of representation isn’t out of the ordinary in some subcultures of Chinese cyberspace. Brownface and exaggerated accents Indian social media users and commentators are incensed by the use of brownface and accent appropriation. They view it as a harmful portrayal deserving of condemnation.
“There are many nationalist videos circulating on platforms like TikTok and RedNote, which align with the broader Chinese Communist Party narrative of ‘national rejuvenation’,” – Dr. Chan, a postdoctoral fellow in China Studies at the Australian National University.
That its release tracks so closely with the Administration’s narrative ought to raise several red flags. It points to how dangerously nationalist sentiments are being normalized on social media.
International Reaction and Implications
The parody video went viral after Pakistan’s Defence Ministry shared it on X, formerly known as Twitter. This unforeseen endorsement scored it even greater infamy. The reposting mistakenly showcased how far the video made it outside of Chinese social media, garnering over 1 million likes on X. Notably, this move opened up greater conversations about the wider geopolitical landscape, especially in light of Pakistan’s dependence on Chinese military technology.
Dr. Chan noted that China’s confidence in its domestic defense industry is on the rise. This developing confidence is a huge part of what makes the video so compelling. He argued that the celebrations shown in the footage should be viewed as defeats for the US. China’s military modernization is winning.
“[They] see it as a win for China’s defence industry over Western technology,” – Dr. Chan.
This feeling is reflective of a growing movement. These nationalistic and militaristic themes are taking root into the fabric of online entertainment, in line with China’s goal to assert its national power on the world stage free from Western interference.
The Cultural Context of Nationalism
Cultural context is key to understanding this fight. It illuminates the phenomenon in which a video can earn millions of likes while being rightfully roasted. Nationalism in China has reached a fever pitch in recent years. This phenomenon has been particularly pronounced among young generations, who impatiently devour content that glorifies homefront success and military technological superiority.
Dr. Chan added that China is watching the escalation between India and Pakistan very carefully. He even proposed that the video serve as an artistic commentary on escalating regional tensions.
“It’s likely that China is watching the India-Pakistan conflict closely,” – Dr. Chan.
This observation indicates that the content may resonate not only within entertainment circles but within military and political discussions regarding regional security and defense capabilities.
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